Purplish Red Spots On Skin

What Is Petechiae Skin Purpura

A petechia, refers to a small red or purple pin point dot on the body, due to broken capillary blood vessels. Events that cause an increase in pressure, such as coughing or vomiting can cause petechiae around the face or eyes. Minor trauma is another common cause of petechiae. In general, petechiae are commonly seen and usually of no concern.

If blood collects under the tissues, and reaches a centimeter or more in diameter, the area is now referred to as a purpura. An even larger area is called an ecchymosis .

However, petechiae represent bleeding into the skin or mucous membranes and may be due to a cause that is reversible. Thus if you or your child have any petechiae, you should seek your local health professional, to see if there are any reversible causes.

What Are Complications Of Purpura

Purpura itself doesnt usually cause complications however, the underlying condition or disease causing purpura can. If a blood clotting disorder is causing the purpura, it could cause severe or fatal bleeding. Talk to your healthcare provider about any suspicious blood spots or bruises so they can treat the cause and minimize your risk of complications.

Causes Of Purple Skin In Dogs

Skin discolouration is indeed a telling sign of cutaneous hyperpigmentation in canines, not only in dark purple or blue but sometimes in colours like black and pale brown, too. When dogs experience hyperpigmentation, not only does the skins colour change a little, its texture also often changes, frequently taking on a markedly dense and coarse feel. Hyperpigmentation doesnt only show up on dogs stomachs, but also commonly on their limbs and where their lower stomachs and thighs meet.

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Other Types Of Purpura

Other types of purpura don’t fit into the thrombocytopenic or nonthrombocytopenic categories. They’re usually quite serious and require immediate treatment.

• Disseminated intravascular coagulation :The purpura of DIC isn’t from poor clotting but from too much of it. It makes proteins that control blood clotting overactive.
• Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia: Heparin is a drug used to prevent blood clots . A severe reaction to it causes widespread blood clotting throughout the body.
• Warfarin-induced skin necrosis:In rare cases, the anticoagulant drug warfarin can lead to the premature death of skin cells. Purpura is usually one of the first signs.

This Type Of Rash Might Seem Harmless But It Can Indicate A Medical Emergency

Skin rashes can occur for lots of reasons and are common in infants, children, and adults.

Many rashes are irritated or itchy, so if you develop pinprick red dots on your skin that dont itch, you might be wondering whats going on.

Oftentimes, this type of rash is caused by tiny broken blood vessels beneath the skin that result in red dots known as petechiae.

Verywell / Theresa Chiechi

If a pinprick rash is indeed petechiae, it can indicate a serious underlying condition like meningitis. If you have pinprick red dots on your skin that dont itch and have emerged rapidly, you should see a healthcare provider immediately, even if you havent yet noticed any other symptoms.

Here is what you should know about petechiae and the causes of pinprick red dots that dont itch.

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When To See A Healthcare Professional About Rashes

If you dont already have a physician, you can use the Healthline FindCare tool to find a professional near you.

Go to the hospital immediately if you experience a rash along with any of the following symptoms:

• increasing pain or discoloration in the rash area
• tightness or itchiness in the throat
• difficulty breathing
• swelling of the face or limbs
• fever of 100.4°F or higher
• confusion
• severe head or neck pain
• repeated vomiting or diarrhea

Your healthcare professional may also:

• take your temperature
• order tests, such as an allergy test or complete blood count
• perform a skin biopsy, which involves taking a small sample of skin tissue for analysis
• refer you to a specialist, such as a dermatologist, for further evaluation

Your healthcare professional may also prescribe medication or medicated lotion to relieve your rash. Most people can treat their rashes effectively with medical treatments and home care.

Follow these tips if you have a rash:

• Use home remedies to soothe mild contact rashes.
• Identify potential triggers for the rash and avoid them as much as possible.
• Carefully follow any treatments your doctor prescribes. Speak with a healthcare professional if your rash persists or gets worse despite treatment.

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How Is Actinic Purpura Diagnosed

If youre experiencing a sudden increase in large bruises on your body, make an appointment with your doctor.

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history and do a physical assessment. If they see that your ecchymoses or lesions are painless and restricted to the hands and forearms with no other abnormal bleeding, theyll likely diagnose you with actinic purpura.

In most cases, there is no treatment required for actinic purpura. However, some people dislike the appearance of the bruises and seek treatment.

Your doctor can prescribe topical retinoids that thicken your skin to prevent further skin aging. This then reduces the risk for actinic purpura. However, retinoids have many side effects that may outweigh any potential benefits.

Protecting your limbs by wearing shin guards can also help prevent minor trauma that causes bruising.

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Pulmonary Symptoms That May Occur Along With Purple Skin And Purple Skin Spots

Medical illnesses such as strep throat and rocky mountain spotted fever are some of the many conditions that can cause blood spots under the skin, as noted by Mayo Clinic. Such spots may appear on the chest, face and even on the neck as persons have been exposed to strenuous activities as we discussed above. These medical conditions can also occur after using some medications which may result in medication side effects such as quinine, naproxen and penicillin. Also, people suffering from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome are likely to see some blood spots on the skin. These same symptoms are also associated with flu, and then more serious symptoms occur, such as fluid on the lungs and dangerously low blood pressure. Moreover, endocarditis is another condition associated with blood spots under skin that strikes the valves or inner lining of the heart, and it may show up flu-like symptoms in addition to bloody spots under the skin.

If you recently returned from a scuba diving trip, barotrauma, an injury caused by changes in pressure, might be the cause of your itchy purple skin. One symptoms database indicates that dive suit squeeze, caused by a too-tight diving suit, can cause an itchy rash and patches of purple skin on the body. The symptoms might appear right after your trip or occur over time. Since some cases of barotrauma require surgery or medical treatment, it is generally recommended to schedule an appointment with your primary care provider if you suspect barotrauma.

Other Symptoms That May Occur Along With Purple Skin

• a bruise lasts longer than 2 weeks
• signs of a skin infection develop
• symptoms become more severe or frequent
• new symptoms develop.

Petechiae are red, purple or brown and they can be so small and concentrated to look like a rash. They usually appear on your arms, legs, stomach, and buttocks. You might also find them inside your mouth or on your eyelids. These pinpoint spots can be a sign of many different conditions, some minor, others serious. They can also appear as a reaction to certain medications.

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Symptoms Of Erythema Multiforme

Usually, erythema multiforme appears suddenly, with reddened bumps erupting on the arms, legs, and face and then enlarging into circles. Often the rash is also present on the palms and soles. The red areas are distributed equally on both sides of the body. They often develop pale rings inside the patches and purple centers and small blisters. The red patches may cause no symptoms, but they sometimes itch or burn mildly. Painful blisters or sores often form on the lips and lining of the mouth and rarely in the eyes.

Skin Rashes And Purple Spots: Symptoms Of The Coronavirus

Fever, tiredness, dry cough and shortness of breath are common symptoms of the new coronavirus called COVID-19, but not everyone who develops the disease has the same symptoms. Some people may get a runny nose, sore throat or diarrhea or lose their sense of smell. Doctors are also seeing skin rashes on the body and purple spots on the feet, toes and the hands in some patients diagnosed with coronavirus. In some cases, the coronavirus skin rash or spots may be the first or even the only symptom of COVID-19.

There have been an increasing number of reports of skin rashes and other skin manifestations, and this is something were watching very closely, said Ted Schiff, MD, founder and chief medical officer of Waters Edge Dermatology.

Virus-induced rashes, like the coronavirus skin rash, are not uncommon. They can happen as a result of the immune systems attempt to fight the invader. With COVID-19, doctors in several countries have reported seeing various types of skin changes, including:

If the doctor suspects COVID-19, he or she will recommend self-quarantine for 14 days and can help you determine if testing is needed and available.

Medical Review By: Ted Schiff, MD

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Treatment For Solar Purpura

Over time, reductions in subcutaneous fat and connective tissue and long-term sun exposure can lead to increased bruising of mature skin as the result of minor trauma.

This is known as actinic purpura. Other names for this include solar purpura, senile purpura, traumatic purpura, and Batemans disease.

This variation of purpura is common in older adults, and the risk increases with age, affecting 1 in 4 aged 90-100 years. No treatment is necessary for this type of purpura.

However, a person can speak with their healthcare professional or dermatologist about options for reducing or improving the appearance of these marks.

Risk Factors And Prevention Of Purpura

Purpura itself is not a disease it is a symptom of another problem. The only effective method for preventing purpura is avoiding the conditions that cause it. As most of these conditions are not due to lifestyle factors, there is little a person can do to reduce the risk of purpura.

Risk factors for purpura include:

• blood clotting issues caused by medication or disease
• infectious diseases, particularly among children and the elderly
• poor nutrition when it leads to a lack of vitamin C
• some forms of cancer, such as leukemia and myeloma
• inflammatory conditions and disorders, such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
• advanced age

The spots of purpura are fairly easy to tell apart from other rashes. Purpura may not be accompanied by itching or skin symptoms. Finding the underlying cause of purpura can be tricky.

Doctors often ask questions such as:

• Do you have any other symptoms?
• Does anyone else in the home have the same symptoms?
• How long have you had the rash for?
• Have you had this rash before?
• Do you take any medications?
• Are there any other medical problems?

A number of routine tests, beginning with a complete blood count blood test, help investigate the cause of purpura. A CBC will reveal whether the patient has low platelets and whether any underlying infections are occurring.

Some forms of skin cancer look similar to the purple spots of purpura. A biopsy can rule out skin cancer.

Doctors may also perform other tests based on the patients symptoms and the suspected diagnosis.

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When Should I Call My Doctor

Petechiae can be a sign of a severe illness or medical emergency, especially in children. Seek medical attention if you have pinpoint red dots on the skin and:

• Confusion, dizziness or loss of consciousness .
• Fever.
• Trouble breathing.

A note from Cleveland Clinic

Petechiae are tiny spots of bleeding under the skin. They can be caused by a simple injury, straining or more serious conditions. If you have pinpoint-sized red dots under your skin that spread quickly, or petechiae plus other symptoms, seek medical attention.

Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 06/29/2021.

References

Pulmonary Causes Of Purple Skin

Bruises: one of the most common causes of purple spots are injuries which result in minor bruising. Bruises develop due to damage of the blood vessels present below the skin. The healing process of such bruises causes the affected skin area to change colours into maroon, red, brown, and purple. Cardiac and pulmonary conditions: there are some cardiac disorders like cyanotic heart disease, congestive heart failure, cardiomyopathy, and cardiogenic shock which cause purple spots on the skin, or purplish skin colour. The skin may also become purplish or elicit purple spots due to varied lung diseases, including bronchiolitis, pneumonia, a serious asthma attack, choking caused due to presence of foreign matter in the airways, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, epiglottitis, and croup. All the above-listed conditions are severe and require urgent medical attention.

There are certain disorders of the lung that may cause the skin to turn purple. Bronchiolitis, a severe asthma attack, pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, choking resulting from a foreign object in the airways, croup, and epiglottitis these are some of the pulmonary disorders, which may cause the skin to turn purple. Certain heart disorders, such as congestive heart failure, cyanotic heart disease, cardiogenic shock and cardiomyopathy, may lead to changes in the skin color to purple too. All these disorders and conditions are very serious, needing immediate medical attention.

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How Is Vasculitis Diagnosed

Vasculitis can be difficult to diagnose and may have many symptoms that can look very similar to those of other diseases. This may mean it takes a while to achieve a clear diagnosis.

As the disease can affect various parts of the body, a multidisciplinary approach is often needed with input from several different doctors in GOSH.

In some cases, the doctors can only decide on a diagnosis once other conditions have been ruled out and after several specific tests or investigations have been performed such as those below.

• Blood tests to show if the blood vessels are inflamed. They can be an indicator of inflammation in the body and to help monitor other organ function/damage
• Urine tests to look for any kidney disease
• X-rays and scans to confirm any organ or bone problems
• Biopsies from the skin/muscle or kidneys to confirm their involvement
• Angiogram to show the arteries up around major organs, such as the heart and look for changes, by injecting a dye into them

What Are The Possible Complications Of Itp

The most dangerous complication of ITP is bleeding, especially bleeding into the brain, which can be fatal. But serious bleeding is rare.

In fact, some of the treatments for ITP can have more risks than the disease itself. For example, the long-term use of corticosteroids can cause serious side effects, including:

• a loss of muscle mass
• an increased risk of infection

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Senile Purpura Symptoms That May Occur Along With Purple Skin

Found in the elderly people who suffer from recurrent bleeding only in the skin and more in the exposed parts. It is not associated with any exogenous history. Symptoms of senile purpura include the following symptoms:

• spots and patches purple in colour generally found in the skin of the neck, back of the hands and the extensor surfaces of upper limbs
• the patches may leave a yellow or brown stain or occur as a chronic relapsing condition
• thin skin
• patches occur without trauma or injury
• purple or red purpuric and ecchymotic patches.

Bruises, blood spots, lung disorders, heart disorders, lack of oxygen are some of the possible reasons behind purple spots on the skin.

If certain areas of your skin have become purple or you see some purple spots developing on your skin, important advice to you is not take it lightly and immediately consult a doctor. This is especially true if they are accompanied by symptoms, such as difficulty in breathing, pain in the chest, change of colour of the nails and the lips to blue and increase in the heart rate. All these symptoms indicate that there could be an underlying serious problem behind your skin turning purple. However, this is not the only reason why purple spots occur on the skin. Sometimes, even a small injury can cause these to develop.

Natural Remedies For Red Dots On Legs

Essentially, there various natural products that are very applicable in treating skin disorders including red spots on legs. Some of these products can be blended while others can just be used alone. While applying these products, you first have to establish the causes of your red spots. Below are examples of natural remedy products:

• Aloe Vera

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What Are The Possible Causes Of Tiny Red Dots On Skin

1. “Red Mole” or Cherry Angiomas

Cherry angiomas are quite common and can appear on any area of your body. Also known as senile angiomas, they usually affect people over 30 years of age. They look red because of broken blood vessels inside them.

While the exact cause of these skin growths is not clear, many experts believe it has something to do with genetics. Some people are more likely to get them compared to others. They are more likely to appear in pregnancy and are even linked to climate and exposure to chemicals. You do not usually need to worry about these skin growths unless you notice a change in their shape, size, or color. Talk to your doctor if they bleed often.

2. Petechiae

If you notice pinpoint, round, tiny red dots on skin, they could be petechiae. These growths develop as a result of bleeding, and this is the reason why they may look brown, red, or purple. They look more like a rash and appear in clusters. The color remains the same even when you press on them. And they may appear on your eyelids or on the inner surface of your mouth.

Treatment: Antibiotics are prescribed in case of an infection causing petechiae formation and appearance. If these petechiea spots are the consequence of injuries to the blood capillaries, apply ice packs or cold compressions over the affected region. It is suggested that before applying ice, a paper towel should be put between your skin and the ice pack. This will prevent damage to the skin surface.

3. Keratosis Pilaris